Hoda Kotb Teases Exciting Reason for Upcoming ‘Today’ Return

Today fans will soon see Hoda Kotb back on the NBC morning show.

Kotb famously exited Today after nearly 20 years in January 2025, citing a desire to spend more time with her young daughters, Haley and Hope, as a major reason for the decision. In the year since her departure, Kotb released her latest book, Jump and Find Joy, and launched her wellness company, Joy 101.

Though she is no longer a Today host, Kotb has returned to the show several times to promote her latest projects, share personal life updates and human interest segments, and serve as a fill-in host. She notably returned to the anchor desk earlier this year to step in for Savannah Guthrie in the wake of her mother Nancy Guthrie‘s disappearance back in February.

In a Tuesday, September 1, Instagram post, Kotb shared a glimpse at what her next Today assignment will be. “I mean… how fun is this?! Sandra [Bullock] and Nicole [Kidman] together again!” Kotb wrote alongside a photo of herself and the two actresses. “We laughed, we caught up, we talked Practical Magic 2.”

She added, “Can’t wait for you to see our conversation soon! PS sandra said — sit on my lap—- so i hovered @todayshow @sandrabullock @nicolekidman @practicalmagicmovie.”

 

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In the snap, Kotb pretended to sit on Bullock’s lap while holding a miniature replica of the iconic Owens House from 1998’s Practical Magic and its upcoming sequel, Practical Magic 2.

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See How Hoda Kotb Celebrated Her Birthday With Her 2 Daughters

Fans shared their excitement for Kotb’s magical new interview in the post’s comments. “OK, none of you look a day over 40!! gorgeous, smart ladies,” one user wrote. Another said, “I’ve been waiting on this interview.” Someone else shared, “I’m sat for this episode!!!!!!!”

A different person posted, “This is the BEST!” A separate commenter stated, “Can’t wait for [the] interview.” NBC News’ Vicky Nguyen also hopped in the comments, writing, “Did you tell Sandra I just introduced Gen Z to Speed? (The movie) a bunch of hot mamas in that pic!”

Kotb’s most recent Today appearance was on the August 21 episode of Today With Jenna and Sheinelle, during which she opened up about her recent tropical birthday trip with her family. “Let me tell you the highlight of my birthday. OK, so my whole family went to the Bahamas, and my mom, who’s 90, has not gotten on a plane in many, many years, and got on one,” she shared. “We all went to the Bahamas, and there’s a pool there that she wanted to get into, but said she couldn’t because she didn’t feel stable. So, we said, ‘C’mon, Mom! You can do it! You can do it! You can do it!’”

Noting that she and a friend helped her mom into the pool, Kotb continued, “Haley was off to the side, whispering to a family member, ‘You got this, Tata! You got this!’ My mom stood in the water, in the pool.”

Kotb also revealed that her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman, was on the trip and reacted emotionally to her mom’s pool moment. “Joel came, too. Joel was crying,” she said.

Today, Weekdays, 7 am/6c, NBC

Practical Magic 2, In Theaters, Friday, September 11